Reclining apparatus

ABSTRACT

A reclining apparatus includes a platform and a pivotal element pivotally connected to the platform. A positioning element is movably mounted on the pivotal element and formed with apertures in two rows so that each of the apertures is located on a different level. A locking device includes two latches and an adjusting element. A selective one of the latches can be inserted in one of the apertures in a related one of the rows. The adjusting element is connected to the latches so that the adjusting element is operable to move the latches.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a compact reclining apparatus for use in a recliner.

2. Related Prior Art

Many people spend about one third of their time in their offices, working. In their offices, people spend a lot of time sitting in their chairs. Therefore, comfortable chairs are necessary and important for these people. Recliners are qualified for comfortable chairs.

As disclosed in Taiwanese Patent M297674, a reclining apparatus for a recliner includes a platform 2, a positioning element 7, a latch 6, an elastic element 5 and a handle 3. The positioning element 7 is in the form of a plate attached to the platform 2 by welding. A series of apertures 71 is defined in the positioning element 7. An end of the elastic element 5 is connected to the latch 6 while another end of the same is connected to the handle 3. The handle 3 is operable to insert the latch 6 in a selective one of the apertures 71 of the positioning element 7 so that a backrest is retained in a selective one of positions on a seat. The positioning element 7 is however tall and therefore renders the reclining apparatus bulky.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, a reclining apparatus includes a platform and a pivotal element pivotally connected to the platform. A positioning element is movably mounted on the pivotal element and formed with apertures in two rows so that each of the apertures is located on a different level. A locking device includes two latches and an adjusting element. A selective one of the latches can be inserted in one of the apertures in a related one of the rows. The adjusting element is connected to the latches so that the adjusting element is operable to move the latches.

An advantage of the reclining apparatus according to the present invention is a compact size because the positioning element is short since the apertures are arranged in two rows.

Another advantage of the reclining apparatus according to the present invention is a robust structure because the latches can be thicker since the apertures are arranged in two rows.

Still another advantage of the reclining apparatus according to the present invention is lightness for using a small amount of heavy material.

Still another advantage of the reclining apparatus according to the present invention is a low cost for using a small amount of expensive material.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reclining apparatus for a recliner according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the reclining apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the reclining apparatus taken along a line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the reclining apparatus taken along a line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the reclining apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the reclining apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a reclining apparatus is provided for a recliner according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The reclining apparatus 1 includes a pivotal element 10, a platform 20, a positioning element 30 and a locking device 40.

The pivotal element 10 includes two walls each including a slot 12 defined therein. In use, a backrest of the recliner is mounted on the pivotal element 10 that is in turn attached to the platform 20 by a pin 11.

The positioning element 30 includes a front wall 31 and two lateral walls 32 extending from the front wall 31. Apertures 33 are defined in the front wall 31. The apertures 33 are located alternatively in two rows so that each of them is located on a different level. A window 34 is defined in each of the lateral walls 32. In use, a seat of a recliner is mounted on the platform 20 that is in turn mounted on a post. Each of the apertures 33 provides a position for the backrest.

The positioning element 30 is disposed on the pivotal element 10. A movable element 35 is movably disposed in each of the windows 34 and each of the slots 12. A pin 36 is inserted in the movable element 35.

The locking device 40 includes a cassette 41, two latches 42, two elastic elements 442, a pusher 43, two elastic elements 441, a lever 45, a link 46 and an adjusting element 47.

The cassette 41 is attached to the platform 20 by threaded bolts. Two tunnels 411 are defined in the cassette 41.

Each of the latches 42 is formed with an annular ridge 421 between two portions thereof. The first portion of each of the latches 42 is inserted in a related one of the tunnels 411 through a related one of the elastic elements 442 so that the elastic elements 442 are compressed between the cassette 41 and the annular ridges 421. The second portion of each of the latches 42 is inserted in a related one of the elastic elements 441.

The pusher 43 includes two rods 431 on a side and two ears 432 on an opposite side. The rods 431 are inserted in the elastic elements 441. The elastic elements 441 are compressed between the pusher 43 and the annular ridges 421 of the latches 42.

The lever 45 includes a first end 451, a second end 452 and a middle portion 454 between the ends 451 and 452. The lever 45 is pivotally connected to one of the walls 21 of the platform 20 by a pivot 453. The first end 451 of the lever 45 is connected to the ears 432 of the pusher 43 by a pin 433.

The adjusting element 47 is pivotally attached to the walls 21 of the platform 20 by a pin 48. The adjusting element 47 is formed with a crank 471 inserted through the slot 22 of the platform 20.

The link 46 is connected to the second end 452 of the lever 45 on one hand and connected to the crank 471 of the adjusting element 47 on the other hand.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, one of the latches 42 (“first rod 42”) is inserted in one of the apertures 33 in one of the rows (“first row”) while the other rod 42 (“second rod 42”) is not inserted in any of the apertures 33 in the other row (“second row”). The pivotal element 10 is kept in a first position on the platform 20.

Referring to FIG. 5, the adjusting element 47 is operable to move the first rod 42 from the aperture 33 so that the pivotal element 10 can be pivoted on the platform 20.

Referring to FIG. 6, the pivotal element 10 is pivoted to a second position on the platform 20 so that the second rod 42 is aligned with one of the apertures 33 in the second row. The adjusting element 47 is released. The second rod 42 is push into one of the apertures 33 in the second row by the related elastic elements 441 and 442 so that the pivotal element 10 is kept in the second position.

The reclining apparatus according to the present invention exhibits at least four advantages.

Firstly, it is compact because the positioning element 30 is short since the apertures 33 are arranged in two rows, not in a single row.

Secondly, it is robust because the latches 42 can be thicker since the apertures 33 are arranged in two rows.

Thirdly, it is lightness for using a small amount of heavy steel.

Fourthly, it is inexpensive for using a small amount of expensive steel.

The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims. 

1. A reclining apparatus comprising: a platform; a pivotal element pivotally connected to the platform; a positioning element movably mounted on the pivotal element and formed with apertures in two rows so that each of the apertures is located on a different level; and a locking device comprising: two latches a selective one of which can be inserted in one of the apertures in a related one of the rows; and an adjusting element connected to the latches so that the adjusting element is operable to move the latches.
 2. The reclining apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking device comprises a cassette attached to the platform, and the latches are movably inserted through the cassette.
 3. The reclining apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking device comprises a pusher connected to the latches.
 4. The reclining apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the locking device comprises two primary elastic elements arranged between the pusher and the latches.
 5. The reclining apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the locking device comprises two auxiliary elastic elements compressed between the cassette and the latches.
 6. The reclining apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of the latches is formed with an annular ridge in contact with a related one of the primary elastic elements on one side and in contact with a related one of the auxiliary elastic elements on another side.
 7. The reclining apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the adjusting element comprises a crank connected to the connective element.
 8. The reclining apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the locking device comprises a pin for pivotally connecting the adjusting element to the platform.
 9. The reclining apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the platform defines a slot through which the crank is inserted.
 10. The reclining apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the locking device comprises a lever pivotally connected to the platform and formed with a first end connected to the pusher and a second end connected to the crank.
 11. The reclining apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the locking device comprises a pivot for pivotally connecting the lever to the platform.
 12. The reclining apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the pusher comprises two ears, and the lever is located between and connected to the ears.
 13. The reclining apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the locking device comprises a link for connecting the crank to the lever.
 14. The reclining apparatus according to claim 1 comprising two movable elements for supporting the positioning element movably on the platform.
 15. The reclining apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the pivotal element comprises two slots for receiving the movable elements.
 16. The reclining apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the positioning element comprises two lateral walls connected to the movable elements.
 17. The reclining apparatus according to claim 16 wherein each of the walls comprises a window for receiving a related one of the movable elements.
 18. The reclining apparatus according to claim 17 comprising a pin inserted in the movable elements.
 19. The reclining apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a pin for connecting the pivotal element to the platform. 